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Sail in the wake of polar explorers as you embark on a true Antarctica expedition. We sail from Ushuaia through the infamous Drake Passage and spend eight whole days in the epic Antarctic wildnerness, the longest of any of our voyages to Antarctica. This allows us to go even further into the Antarctic peninsula to explore some of the last untouched places on the planet.
Starting in Buenos Aires, you have the opportunity to discover the “Paris of South America” before embarking on MS Fram in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost town and setting course for the Southern Ocean. En route to Antarctica we sail through the notorious Drake Passage, where two oceans meet. Then we head through open sea towards a continent of endless white wilderness, with its overwhelming presence of nature and wildlife.
Deception Island, Half Moon Island and Yankee Harbour all have a diverse landscape, amazing animal life and spectacular photo opportunities. The narrow Errera Channel offers a spectacular passage to and from Cuverville Island. Neko Harbour is feeding ground for shy Minke whales. Paradise Harbour offers another rare opportunity for a mainland landing and some of the finest vistas of the Antarctic Peninsula. The Lemaire Channel is known as one of the most beautiful passages in Antarctica and Petermann Island is a great place for iceberg- and whale-spotting. From our Polarcircel boats we can take a closer look at the partially submerged wreck of a Norwegian whaling ship, evidence of the historical activity on and off these remote shores.
The forming of the sea ice in Antarctica is the largest natural seasonal phenomenon on Earth, and during the austral summer more than 20 million square kilometres of sea ice melts. Taking advantage of this passage we are venturing far into the areas that are almost permanently iced down, inside the winter-locked landscape of Antarctica.
Hardly anyone sails this far south, let alone goes ashore. Our Antarctic circle expedition lets you go ashore several places and get even closer to penguins, seals, whales and birds by hiking, kayaking and snowshoeing. You might even get a chance to spend a night ashore in a tent.
Turning back and leaving Antarctica, we will once again sail through the Drake Passage, before disembarking in Ushuaia.
This is an expedition where the elements rule, and the weather, wind and ice conditions will determine our schedule. Safety is paramount and the captain will decide the final sailing itinerary during the voyage. Hence, this itinerary is just an indication of what you can experience and why every expedition with Hurtigruten is unique.
Buenos Aires’ mixture of elegant and bohemian neighbourhoods only adds to its charm and appeal. You start with an overnight stay here, in the birthplace of the tango.
Our flight leaves Buenos Aires in the morning which gives you a few hours to explore Ushuaia, the southernmost town in the world and where the Andes meet the Southern Ocean. It is a busy port and adventure hub with steep streets and architectural diversity below the snow-capped Martial Range. In the afternoon MS Fram will be waiting to take you on an adventure to the south.
The Drake Passage is the stretch of ocean between the south tip of South America, also known as Cape Horn or Tierra del Fuego, part of Chile, and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica, off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. On the way across the passage and towards “the ice” (as it’s often referred to by our expedition leaders) you can learn a great deal about Antarctica’s natural wonders and fascinating history.
The Drake Passage is famous for some of the roughest and most unforgiving waters of the world. This is where two oceans meet; sailors say that it’s either the Drake Lake or the Drake Shake.
The Antarctic continent is an endless white wilderness full of overwhelming vistas of nature and wildlife. On this special trip, we plan to cross the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66° 33’ 39’’. We will go ashore several places and offer activities like hiking, kayak trips and snowshoeing. You might even have the chance to spend a night ashore in a tent. Witness what the winter-locked landscape of Antarctica looks like in summer and set foot where few have gone before you.
While in Antarctica, we will attempt to land on several sites as weather, wind, and ice conditions will determine our program and schedule. On land, our Expedition team will explain what you see and help you avoid disturbing nature and wildlife. When conditions allow, hikes or other activities on land and sea may be offered.
Visiting The South Shetland Islands is definitely worth looking forward to. Deception Island, Half Moon Island and Yankee Harbour all have a diverse landscape, amazing animal life and spectacular photo opportunities. The narrow Errera Channel offers a spectacular passage to and from Cuverville Island. Neko Harbour is feeding ground for shy minke whales. Paradise Harbour offers another rare opportunity for a mainland landing and some of the finest vistas of the Antarctic Peninsula. The Lemaire Channel is known as one of the most beautiful passages in Antarctica and Petermann Island is a great place for iceberg and whale spotting. On the British base Port Lockroy you get a peek into life on an Antarctic base in the 1950s. Wilhelmina Bay is feeding ground for whales and seals, and was a preferred hunting ground for whalers back in the days. Evidence of this is a partially submerged wreck of a Norwegian whaling ship. We might take a closer look at the wreck from our Polarcirkel boats. The 48 km (30 mi) Antarctic Sound is home to an estimated half million adélie penguins as well as gentoo penguins, leopard seals, and killer whales. On Brown Bluff we might land and take a walk along the beach admiring the lava “bombs” from the old volcano and all the penguins. There is also the chance to walk to the viewpoint above the landing site. On Detaille Island we find the former geology and meteorology "Base W" of the British Antarctic Survey. On Horseshoe Island we’ll see an important example of a relatively unaltered and completely equipped British scientific research station of the 1950s.
After nine unforgettable days in Antarctica, MS Fram takes us safely back across the famous Drake Passage.
The sailing from the Antarctic Peninsula to Ushuaia at the southern tip of Argentina is roughly 40 hours in good weather. During the voyage north, we will continue our lecture series and recap our experiences of Antarctica.
Back in Ushuaia you can either join an optional excursion or go straight to the airport to fly to Buenos Aires. Here you can either fly back home or spend time with our post programmes to the Tigre Delta or the incredible Iguazu Falls.
Cruise from South America to Antarctica on board MS Fram, our original expedition ship purpose-built for polar expeditions
Learn more about what you can experience on board - and cruise with confidence on MS Fram
Learn more about the experience of sailing to the last unexplored place on Earth, Antarctica.
Immerse yourself in the adventures you can experience on a voyage to Antarctica.
Complete your holiday in South America with a Hurtigruten Land Adventure before or after your sailing. Choose between excursions of several hours and multi-day tours including hotels in Buenos Aires.
Please contact us if you wish to add on return flights and airport transfers to Buenos Aires.